Bluff and bluster fails.

[Notch7]

The idea of the VIP lane was to rapidly expand sourcing options and bypass normal slow procurement processes

But if you want speed, surely you go first to companies who have the contacts and experience.

As Highway man says: “The sad thing is that there were real companies with decades of experience who could supply the correct NHS PPE. They couldn't get near a contract”


If the VIP lane was genuine it would’ve put those experienced businesses first, not a bloke running a pub or a bra company

 

[motorbiking]

But if you want speed, surely you go first to companies who have the contacts and experience.

As Highway man says: “The sad thing is that there were real companies with decades of experience who could supply the correct NHS PPE. They couldn't get near a contract”


If the VIP lane was genuine it would’ve put those experienced businesses first, not a bloke running a pub or a bra company

I agree.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

But if you want speed, surely you go first to companies who have the contacts and experience.

As Highway man says: “The sad thing is that there were real companies with decades of experience who could supply the correct NHS PPE. They couldn't get near a contract”


If the VIP lane was genuine it would’ve put those experienced businesses first, not a bloke running a pub or a bra company

This. Exactly this.

The whole thing stinks.

They know it

We know it.

They know that we know it.

 

[MNW67]

Interestingly, it seems that most of the expert evidence given at trial turned out to be irrelevant. I think both sides were expecting a huge discussion about the testing results and deciding whether the gowns were actually sterile and, if not, who was to blame; the manufacturer or the NHS transport and storage people. But the judge decided that all that really mattered is that MedPro didn't have the correct verified procedures for ensuring sterility during manufacture. So, whether the gowns were actually sterile in practice was not important.

 

[MNW67]

This. Exactly this.

The whole thing stinks.

They know it

We know it.

They know that we know it.

An interesting review of a recent ITV expose here:

Many of the companies that applied via the VIP lane were very swiftly given colossal sums of money to provide PPE. Even this favouritism – towards firms run by well-connected types who could contact people in power directly – might not have been so bad, had they been established PPE suppliers. But often they had no track record in the field. Several had only just been incorporated. We hear from a veteran PPE supplier who says his applications to the government were ignored, to the point that he resorted to the inefficient alternative of selling directly to individual NHS trusts. Friends of the Tories were given national contracts, worth tens or hundreds of millions of pounds, within weeks.

One of the main defences used by MPs and lords who forwarded applications is that they didn’t decide whether their associates were actually awarded contracts, but Follow the Money makes it clear that they didn’t need to: a guiding principle had been established. There is strong evidence here that companies coming through the VIP lane got faster responses, were more likely to be approved, and enjoyed larger profit margins – often about 50% to 60%. They were also more likely to supply poor-quality PPE that was unusable.(To what extent particular companies did this is the subject of legal disputes and is thus not specified here, but the programme identifies an overall trend of VIP PPE being more likely to fail.)

The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money review – a devastating picture of the biggest spending scandal ever

This rigorous look at the Tories’ ‘VIP lane’ for PPE suppliers during Covid raises questions about the motivations of those involved – ones that are almost too disgusting to contemplate

www.theguardian.com

 

[motorbiking]

Interestingly, it seems that most of the expert evidence given at trial turned out to be irrelevant. I think both sides were expecting a huge discussion about the testing results and deciding whether the gowns were actually sterile and, if not, who was to blame; the manufacturer or the NHS transport and storage people. But the judge decided that all that really mattered is that MedPro didn't have the correct verified procedures for ensuring sterility during manufacture. So, whether the gowns were actually sterile in practice was not important.

which given the circumstances of a global pandemic and the need for this stuff, is a little bit tough.

But this is B2B contracting, all parties are expected to know their sh*t. Don't "Mone" that you didn't understand the contract.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

An interesting review of a recent ITV expose here:

The Covid Contracts: Follow the Money review – a devastating picture of the biggest spending scandal ever

This rigorous look at the Tories’ ‘VIP lane’ for PPE suppliers during Covid raises questions about the motivations of those involved – ones that are almost too disgusting to contemplate

www.theguardian.com

Yeah I recall seeing an interview with a guy who ran an established PPE supplies business, not tiny, not huge, but more than capable of providing a reasonable amount of the stuff.

Applied and enquired a few times, knocked back each time.

On a separate subject, if the ID card thing comes to pass, I'll be watching that one with interest. Already folk are raising the connection between Tony Blair's son and the company that might win the contract to supply. It was mentioned on HIGNFY and the BBC had to edit the episode due to a compliant that it was misinformation.

We'll see ...

 

[MNW67]

which given the circumstances of a global pandemic and the need for this stuff, is a little bit tough.

But this is B2B contracting, all parties are expected to know their sh*t. Don't "Mone" that you didn't understand the contract.

I wonder whether it's appealable. It looks like a big decision from the judge. Having said that, she did make the point that testing as an alternative to validation might have been impractical.

 

[motorbiking]

I wonder whether it's appealable. It looks like a big decision from the judge. Having said that, she did make the point that testing as an alternative to validation might have been impractical.

there are rumours that the administrator/receiver is considering an appeal. If you have any experience of government frameworks, you'll know they are fairly well written from the government's point of view.

 

[blup]

Happy to take the money but not the responsibility, do you mean ?

Well the company has no choice, there’s a finding against it. I reckon no prosecution and payment of damages for breach of contract is a better outcome for the taxpayer than a successful prosecution and no damages. But it looks like they are going for both and the court finding will probably help establish key facts for the fraud investigation.

 

[blup]

Interestingly, it seems that most of the expert evidence given at trial turned out to be irrelevant. I think both sides were expecting a huge discussion about the testing results and deciding whether the gowns were actually sterile and, if not, who was to blame; the manufacturer or the NHS transport and storage people. But the judge decided that all that really mattered is that MedPro didn't have the correct verified procedures for ensuring sterility during manufacture. So, whether the gowns were actually sterile in practice was not important.

The SAL standard is a theoretical mathematical calculation because physical testing destroys the sterility. They were tested when they got to Daventry. It reminds me of bs57 50, crap in crap out is quality as long as the crap is consistent. But someone still faked the standards for med pro.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Imagine fitting fake parts to someone's car that you sourced via a new supplier.

Happy to go to prison for fraud? You took the money, you fitted the parts

Imagine the fake parts failing and killing the customer

Happy to be prosecuted for manslaughter? You took the money, you fitted the parts.

That's why I will only fit parts I source myself, from reliable, fully traceable sources.

If I fit customer supplied parts I would still be responsible so I don't.

Understand the difference. It's called taking responsibility

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Well the company has no choice, there’s a finding against it. I reckon no prosecution and payment of damages for breach of contract is a better outcome for the taxpayer than a successful prosecution and no damages. But it looks like they are going for both and the court finding will probably help establish key facts for the fraud investigation.

Time will tell.

Hope they determine if they have any other contracts (other companies) they can stop them earning from

Might be a tall wish, but I'm sure it's being looked at. I have asked my MP to comment on it too.

 

[motorbiking]

Well the company has no choice, there’s a finding against it. I reckon no prosecution and payment of damages for breach of contract is a better outcome for the taxpayer than a successful prosecution and no damages. But it looks like they are going for both and the court finding will probably help establish key facts for the fraud investigation.

very separate.

 

[motorbiking]

That's why I will only fit parts I source myself, from reliable, fully traceable sources.

If I fit customer supplied parts I would still be responsible so I don't.

Understand the difference. It's called taking responsibility

The idea of a hypothetical example is that you imagine that you had honestly sourced the parts and were unaware of the fraudulent representation. It was an attempt to educate you. A waste of time it seems.